A special kind of graduation is taking place today.
The CNIB guide dogs are celebrating the class of 2019—the first class in Newfoundland and Labrador.
One of the graduates is a guide dog named Maple. Their owner Kelly Picco says the program has been amazing for her.
Maple has just completed her training as a guide dog. Ivy has just received her training as a buddy dog. @590VOCM welcones Kelly Picco with Maple & 9 year old Rhea Stark along with, her mom, Susan Melendy Stark & Ivy. @Fred_Hutton #gooddogs pic.twitter.com/ls5zLEvGcC
— Gerri Lynn Mackey (@GerriLynnMackey) November 22, 2019
Picco began to lose her sight when she was seven years old. Her loss of sight impacted her life, but now she says through training things have been easier.
She was matched with Maple in April.
She says the training involved walking on sidewalks, going through her home, going to the gym, going to work.
Picco learned foot commands, hand signals and what to say to Maple.
